James Rivett QC

Called 2004 (Lincoln’s Inn)

Feb 2009 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “C” panel

Dec 2013 – Appointed Consultant Lecturer, Sotheby’s Institute of Art

March 2014 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “B” panel

September 2017 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “A” panel

March 2019 – QC

Recent cases include MJP Media (Upper Tribunal); Forde & McHugh Ltd (Upper Tribunal); Icebreaker 1 LLP (Upper Tribunal); Class IV GLO (Court of Appeal); Huitson & Shiner (Court of Appeal); Trustees of the BT Pension Scheme (First-Tier Tribunal).

Regular contributor of articles to specialist tax journals

Contributor to Potter and Monroe’s Tax Planning with Precedents and Atkins Court Forms (Revenue) (2007 Issue)

Author of the statutory construction and Ramsay chapters of Simon’s Direct Tax Service

James lectures regularly on all aspects of tax

Chancery Bar Association

Revenue Bar Association

VAT Practitioner’s Group

International Fiscal Association

MA (Cantab)(Starred Double First), Clare College, Cambridge

MPhil, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge

Postgraduate Diploma in Law, City University, London (Lord Bowen Scholarship and Hardwicke Award, Lincoln’s Inn, 11 King’s Walk prize for Public Law, City University)

Bar Vocational Course (Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn)

Tax: Corporate Tax
Ranking: Band 3

Has a broad-based corporate tax practice and regularly appears in major cases relating to matters such as tax schemes, double tax treaties and manufactured overseas dividends. He represents both the Revenue and the taxpayer. “He is very pleasant and his written work is good.” “A very effective and knowledgeable individual.” (2021)

“Extremely good and very persuasive.” “He’s very enthusiastic and super bright.” (2020)

“Very quick-witted.” “Very good with clients.” (2019)

Tax: Private Client
Ranking: Band 2

A personable and impressive advocate who is in high demand, Rivett has particular expertise in the often arcane world of variation of trust, and he is also an expert in heritage property matters for landed estates. “James is excellent. He is very personable and a clear advocate.” (2021)

Recently elevated to silk, he is regarded by sources as a personable and impressive advocate who is in high demand. Rivett has particular expertise in the often arcane world of variation of trust, and he is also an expert in heritage property matters for landed estates. “An absolute star on the tax advisory side, he is so in demand these days that it would be helpful if he were cloned.” (2020)

“We love working with him – he is superb in person and verbally. If you want someone quick and to the point he is amazing; he has a very, very fast brain.” (2019)

Tax: Indirect Tax
Ranking: Band 3

Has a growing indirect tax practice with a particular expertise in VAT, and often appears before the Upper Tribunal. He acts for the taxpayer in leading cases and is often called upon to advise on extremely complex matters. “A very practical man who completely understands the situation from the solicitor’s point of view.” (2021)

“He’s super user-friendly and very able.” “Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” (2020)

“Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” “Very bright and very engaging.” (2019)

Family/Matrimonial: Trusts/Tax Experts
Ranking: Band 1

Acts in contentious financial remedy cases involving complex foreign trusts with accompanying tax issues. “The person you go to for a tax issue in the family area. He is extremely personable, gets straight to the point and gives incredibly clear advice.” (2021)

“His advice is sound in all cases. He is thorough, confidence-giving and authoritative.” (2020)

“Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” “Very quick-witted, with real charm and agility.” (2019)

Tax: Corporate
Ranking: 2019 Silk, Tier 1

‘He is a tenacious litigator and someone who pursues his case with vigour.’ (2021)

‘He is tenacious and argues his cases convincingly.’ (2020)

‘He has an incisive perspective, a good eye for detail.’ (2019)

Private Client: Personal Tax
Ranking: 2019 Silk, Tier 1

‘Approachable, engages really well with lay clients (makes the law interesting and relevant to them), engenders a great partnership with the solicitor as he is always happy for us to ring up with questions later.’ (2021)

‘Explains complicated matters very well.’ (2020)

‘He is frighteningly intelligent and extremely well liked by opponents and judges alike.’ (2019)

Tax: Private Client

Ranking: Band 2

James Rivett QC has a strong private client tax advisory and litigation practice, and also acts for the Revenue. “He has a wonderful manner about him,” says one industry source, while another source describes him as “very articulate” and “very bright.” Several interviewees comment on his advocacy style, with one interviewee observing: “James is excellent. He is very personable and a clear advocate.” (2020)

James Rivett QC took silk in 2019, and remains a popular choice among private practice solicitors and with the Revenue for tax advisory work and litigation. Fellow counsel says he is “very thorough, very personable, good with clients and an effective advocate.” An instructing solicitor considers Rivett “an absolute star on the tax advisory side, but in such demand these days it would be helpful if he could be cloned.” (2019)